Tip of the Month: How patience can pay o for hunters

The author’s good friend Jerry was patient. He took his first caribou 100 yards from the tent, while two other buddies spent an entire day packing theirs through some of the Arctic’s toughest country. As Tom Petty sings, “The waiting is the hardest part,” but waiting for a bull to wander in closer makes it a lot less physically demanding in the end. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

OUTDOOR TIPS OF THE MONTH

BUYING INTO THE PATIENCE PRINCIPLE

Editor’s note: Each issue, our Paul Atkins will o er a tip outdoorsmen and -women can use as they prepare for an Alaska adventure. This month: Why having patience is critical during a hunting or fishing trip.

BY PAUL D. ATKINS

“Stop, Lew; I think I saw something!” “What was it?” he asked as I pointed towards the big lake we had just passed.

“I think it was a moose standing on the backside next to the shoreline,” I replied.

Lew maneuvered the boat like a pro and eased us into the opening of the narrow slough. The wall of willows blocking our view slowly receded and brought us to a stop. With zero wind, it brought an onslaught of mosquitoes – vengeful and unforgiving in their quest for blood.

We both brought up our binoculars and could see that I was right; it was a bull that was standing seemingly unconcerned on the far side of the lake.

He was small, but size didn’t matter in our quest to find an antlered bull to fill the freezer. Getting close enough for Lew to make the shot, however, would be the tough part, especially with zero cover.

The bull then did something totally uncharacteristic; he jumped into the water and started swimming towards us. Lew and I couldn’t believe it, and in no time the bull was next to the boat!

Now, I’ve been in on moose kills in water situations. It’s not a lot of fun and it seems the work is never ending. Getting them to dry land is quite an undertaking and before you’re done, you’re usually soaked and standing in waist-deep water.

DECISION TIME We debated on what to do, as the bull seemed to be on a mission of his own. Upon closer inspection, we could see why. He was covered in black flies and mosquitoes. He was just looking for some relief from the bugs that the cool water would provide; I would have too.

Lew and I decided against trying to take this one. We knew that there might be another bull or two upriver and in a better location. So we grabbed our cameras and wheeled o several hundred photos as he swam away. It was quite the experience.

It’s like that a lot here – almost; everything can be considered almost in the Arctic, and Alaska in general.

We almost got there or that bear was almost in range or that moose was almost in the right place, but …

It seems that a lot of things in the hunting and fishing world are a series of almosts, near misses or what-couldhave-been moments, especially early in the season – like when the water is high and conditions aren’t quite ideal.

I know a lot of these Tip of the Month features represent after-the-shot advice, but I’m making this one a before-theshot piece. The “before” has a lot to do with the “after” for most of us, as a lot of those scenarios revolve around using a little patience in the buildup to the bang.

WHEN HUNTS GET DIFFICULT Hunting big game in Alaska can sometimes be easy, while other times it’s anything but. Killing an animal with a bow or rifle is usually the easiest part, but where and how you do it will have a big e ect on the amount of work you do after.

If you like work and want it to be part of your experience, then I say go for it. Believe me when I say there have been hundreds of times that the amount of e ort given on a trip or hunt resulted in some of my best memories.

But here I’m talking about getting into the right location, being patient and waiting until things are better than average for your shot. Then the animal you’re after can be taken successfully in a situation that makes you a lot happier for taking your time and being deliberate throughout the process.

I know that it doesn’t always work, especially when you’re hunting, say, caribou. To get a bull requires a shot in some pretty tough country. That rush of adrenaline hits you and, in those times, you have to make things work or you may miss the opportunity.

LET THEM COME TO YOU I once was hunting with a friend from the Lower 48. We were after caribou way up north, but animal sightings were slim to none. On the fifth day of a seven-day

Where you set your camp will have a lot to do with the amount of success you have. Do your research and, if possible, go to those places where you will see the most game. This drop camp for a DIY caribou hunt was ideal. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

ALASKA

ANCHORAGE Anchorage Yamaha Suzuki Marine 3919 Spenard Rd (907) 243-8343 anchorageyamaha.com

hunt, my friend spotted a group of three bulls from camp. They were far away across some awful tundra, but from the spotting scope they looked to be coming our way.

I told my buddy to be patient, that they would eventually get closer and we could ambush them. Well, he wouldn’t have it and took o in their direction.

I watched from camp as he made his way towards the caribou; they were at least a mile or so away. I was thinking that he would never get close, but I heard the sound of a rifle echo in the distance. He had one down.

The remaining bulls kept coming towards camp and I was in awe as they practically walked by me. My first thought? Patience.

Long story short: I had to pack up and wade through some of the most awful tussocks to help my buddy. I didn’t mind it, but if he would have just waited ... Oh, well.

THE WAITING IS THE HARDEST PART My experience after all these years tells me to wait, take my time and see what happens. Here are five things that will help you be more successful this fall. • Wait, be diligent and just see what happens. If you have animals close and they can be seen, then being deliberate will give you and your party time to make a plan. Don’t walk 5 miles, shoot a bull and expect it to be easy to haul it back. Most of my kills have happened within earshot of camp or the boat.

• Know your limitations. Now, this will have a lot to do with the species you’re chasing and what your experience level is like. Again, if you're hunting caribou, then they should be moving or migrating and will usually follow a path, so get to that path and wait. On the other hand, moose movement has a lot to do with the rut, so get a call and know how to use it. Get them close for the kill, if possible. Your back will also appreciate it. • Ballistics. Know your rifle, how it shoots and where it hits at di erent distances. This is a no-brainer for a seasoned hunter, but if this is your first trip to the tundra, then practice – a lot – before you get here. The last thing you want is to have a wounded animal wandering all over the country. If you’re using archery

This moose decided that his swimming exercise was over and exited the scene. “We could have taken him and filled the freezer, but the conditions weren’t right, and it was the first day of our hunt,” says the author, whose waiting and patience eventually yielded a bull that trip. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

The 10MM cartridge is more than 30 years old, but its popularity has not waned. It’s one of the top three self-defense cartridg-es in America, as well as hunting. But most 10MM loads are designed for personal protection using bullets weighing between 100 and 220 grains. ey work well, with a very deep wound and penetration channels. Underwood Ammunition is well-known for innovative ammunition offerings. In 2022, Underwood is featuring a lightweight, high-velocity round for 10MM, for hunting. is Xtreme Hunter load features a 150-grain solid-copper bullet that will penetrate around 25 inches. e Xtreme Hunt-er is designed with wider flutes than the Xtreme Penetrator to slow down faster and to perform a massive energy dump faster, close to 700 pounds of energy while hunting. e Xtreme Hunter has Underwood Ammo’s trademark nickel plated brass, along with state of the art 100% copper projectile, with Underwood’s famous flutes.

This big boy was taken by design. Big herds were following a trail close to camp and had been doing so for days. “We glassed until we saw the bull we wanted, made a plan and ambushed him at 7 yards,” Atkins recalls. “It was fun and the pack was short.” And that’s why not rushing into the shot makes your hunt that much easier and e cient.

(PAUL D. ATKINS) gear, the same rules apply. • Have a plan, especially if hunting with others. Alaska is big and if you’re doing a DIY drop camp, you’ll have a lot of country to pursue. Find a high place, glass and get to know the area. Then make a plan that will give you and your buddies the best chance. • Have fun, relax and enjoy your time in the field. It doesn’t have to be a rush situation all the time. If you succeed and shoot a good bull in camp, great, but if you agree to venture out further to get it done, then have fun doing it and don’t complain about the amount of work it might take to finish the job.

AS TIME GOES BY In my younger days, I would walk to the ends of the earth to get a harvest done. It was hard, but eventually over time I learned that if you’re patient and methodical, most hunts will usually end with a better or closer result. Maybe I’m just getting old now. ASJ

Editor’s note: Got a tip question for Paul? Email ccocoles@media-inc.com with your query.